Re: “Some candidates need to spend more time learning the facts,” Opinion Column, Oct. 1
Dear editor,
Mr. Keen, as a candidate for alderman, I have done my homework as far as the 2011 City budget and the proposed 12 per cent tax increase.
On page 34 of the 2010-2011-2012 budget it clearly states that the proposed increase for 2010 is 3.9 per cent, 2011 is 12 per cent and 2012 it states 7.5 per cent.
In 2010, the City of Airdrie received a 3.9 per cent tax increase. Since I am not physic or clairvoyant, I must assume that the tax increase for 2011 is projected at 12 per cent.
I thought maybe Mr. Keen had some inside information because he was the City manager in 2010, so I started asking some questions and was shocked when I learned Mr. Keen is on contract with the City as a consultant.
When I asked if I was allowed to view this contract, I was informed by the current City manager that there is no contract to view, as it is a verbal contract.
When I questioned what consulting Mr. Keen was doing for the City, I was told he is “negotiating the union contract between the City of Airdrie and the Airdrie Fire Department.”
I asked Mr. Schulz (the current City manager) what expertise Mr. Keen had to consult on an important negotiation like this, and was told “he knows that department better then anyone in the City and he is a great negotiator.”
While I am not going to comment on Mr. Keen’s negotiating skills, I think that when negotiating a union contract, we would be better served to have someone that has some experience in contract negotiations.
I find it very interesting that Mr. Keen is writing a series of articles that deal with an on-going election when he is under a “verbal contract” with the very folks he is defending in his articles.
Yes, Mr. Keen, I have done my homework.
Kevin Hughes, Candidate for Alderman
